Wizarding World of Harry Potter Coming to Universal Studios Hollywood in 2016

Public service announcement: as of 2016, butterbeer will be available on both coasts. Universal Hollywood Studios has confirmed that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will open in just a couple of years. As reported by The New York Times and confirmed in a press release, the theme park is set for an extreme makeover that includes expansions both inside the park and in their parking structures. They'll need all the available spaces to hold the crowds when Wizarding World opens.

Though they have not divulged specifics on the precise opening date or about which rides will be built and which locations (aside from Hogwarts) from the book they will focus on, it's sure to be just as detailed as the original Wizarding World at Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando. From the release: "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" at Universal Studios Hollywood will be a fully immersive land designed for the entire family that brings the Harry Potter fiction and films to life with impeccable detail and authenticity. Similar to the dynamic Universal Orlando Resort themed land that opened in 2010, the Hollywood experience will be faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including Hogwarts castle that will serve as the iconic focal point of the impressively themed environment."

If Hogwarts will be present, it's likely that the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction will be replicated. But, will the rest of the area be Hogsmeade? Or perhaps and Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley? Universal Hollywood doesn't have as much space as its counterpart, so chances are good that only Hogsmeade will be present. And that's fine because Hogsmeade is more than enough. Did we mention the butterbeer?

Amy Ratcliffe is a writer for IGN TV. You can follow her on on Twitter at @Amy_Geek and IGN at alratcliffe.